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ENGLISH PLEASURE GARDENS 



distinguishable from the extensive pleasure grounds laid 

 out by the great architects of the Italian Renaissance. 



Even the kitchen gardens were planned with an eye 

 to their ornamental effect. " But is the garden that 

 is for use to avail of no ornament ? " asks Quintilian ; 

 "by all means let these trees be planted in a regular 

 order, and at certain distances. 

 Observe that quincunx, how 

 beautiful it is ; view it on 

 every side ; what can you ob- 

 serve more straight or more 

 graceful ? Regularity and 



arrangement even improve the soil, because the juices 

 rise more regularly to nourish what it bears. Should 

 I observe the branches of yonder olive tree shooting 

 into luxuriancy, I instantly should lop it; the effect 

 is, it would form itself into a horizontal circle, which 

 at once adds to its beauty and improves its bearing." 

 The architectural features were so varied and fanci- 

 ful that it would be hopeless to try to describe them 

 all, though few would be without interest. Pavilions, 

 temples, grottoes, arbours, and greenhouses were com- 

 mon, and there was every kind of portico and colon- 

 nade, as well as water-works, including baths and 

 fountains. The plan of the classic gardens was 

 invariably the work of an architect; architecture pre- 

 dominated in the general scheme and in all its details. 



